Blindsided

Hi there,

I'm so happy to have found this site, it's so informative and inspiring, especially after spending the past three weeks researching cervical cancer and reading about various women's ordeals.

I was just diagnosed with cervical cancer stage 1b1 and am experiencing lower back pain. Has anyone has this problem at an earlier stage? I'm so scared it's already spread elsewhere (kidneys, spine, etc.) and am now nervous about every ache and pain.

I'm also really nervous about having to go through radiation. I'm still young (30 years old), and am worried about the vaginal shrinking, scarring and sexual side effects. Does anyone else here have experience with this?

Thanks so much for your help...I know this site will be a great source of inspiration for me in the coming weeks.

Kristine
Stage 1B1 Adenocarcinoma Cervical Caner -- LEEP, further treatments soon

Hi Kristine,

Just wanted to say hello and welcome. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but I think you've come to the right place . My cancer was at a slightly earlier stage than yours, but as you have been diagnosed with stage I it seems very unlikely to have spread outside the cervix. If you are concerned, please don't hesitate to ask your doctor for additional tests to put your mind at rest.

What type of surgery are you having? I can't personally answer your questions about radiation, having not experienced it myself, but there are lots of people here that know a lot about it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Beth

Hi Kristine,

Just want to send you a big and welcome you........this is a wonderful site.

I didn't need any further treatments after my hyst but I'm sure others will be along to share their experiences with you. In the meantime, you might want to do a keyword search on this board. I just did one asking for cervical cancer or radiation and a lot of threads came up that you might find helpful.

Hello,

I had cervical cancer that was found after the hyst. My stage would be around a stage2b. I had radiation with my chemo together, it was rough but very doable. I also had a round of Internal radiation. My oncologist said to continue to have relations with my spouse during the radiation, to aleviate the vaginal atrophy. The first few times were a little rough (slightly painful), but eventually it ease up.

When they do the radiation it isnt that bad, the side effects of diarhea, and bladder urgency were the worst for me. I had my ovaries taken out during my hyst, so I cant tell you how the radiation may affect them.

I think the fear of radiation is worse than the actual treatments. Just be sure to ask or tell the doc or tech of any concerns, fears, or problems that you have.

Many ers and 's coming your way. Take care and May God Bless you

Thanks for the help and advice. I'm planning on having a radical hysterectomy or trachelectomy (if it's possible). Otherwise, I assume I'll have to undergo radiation and/or chemotherapy if they find the cancer's invaded the lymph nodes.

I just wanted to check again...has anyone experienced lower back pain with early stage cervical cancer. Only my lower right side hurts, so it could be that'll I'm sleeping funny.

I'm just so nervous that it has spread.

Thanks again for your help!

Kristine

Hi,
I am sorry that you have to go through this at such a young age. I was 35 when I had a hysterectomy. Before my surgery I became very symptomatic as well. Stress can do that. It still happens before my check-ups. The doctor probably will recommned a radical hysterectomy with stage 1b. I had stage 1a and had a TVH. I did not need further treatment. Good luck. The waiting is the worst part.

Kristine:

The sort of back pain that you describe can also be due to endo or adenomyosis, which would be diagnosable only by hyst. It's endo that has infiltrated the uterine muscular wall, and can lead to lots of abnormal bleeding and that horrible lower backache that you mention.

Sometimes vaginal ultrasound can visualize thickening of the endometrial layer; occasionally MRI can make the diagnosis, but adeno is notoriously difficult to diagnose prior to hysterectomy (which I realize doesn't help the decision-making process any, does it???).

Good luck, and I hope that you're found to not need too much in the way of radiation or other therapy! Welcome to Hystersisters, and you've got a LOT of reading ahead of you...



Audrey

Thanks again for all your help...this is one of the most difficult things I've ever faced and I really appreciate having support and information so readily available.

I never dreamed I'd be here, but I'm glad I found you!

's Kristine!

I'm so happy you found us! It sounds as if you are being quite thorough in your search for information. Information is power--it's always easier to make a good decision when you know what there is to know.

Here's a link to a thread about treatment options for various stages of cervical cancer:

Treatment Options for Cervical Cancer.

Lots of things can cause lower back pain. I used to have some lower back pain for 2-3 days each month at the time of my period. I was found to have mild endometriosis when they did my TAH, and my doc assumed then that the low back ache was from the endo. However, I also have periodic bouts with my sacroiliac joint on the right which can cause some back pain for several days, and then it just goes away again for a few months. There can be lots of reasons that are not cancer-related. But it's also fairly common for us here on Cancer Concerns to assume that any new ache or pain or sniffle is cancer-related and we affectionately refer to that as Cancerhead. Most of us have experienced it at least once during our time here, so don't feel like you're paranoid--it's common to feel that way. Make sure you tell your doc all of your symptoms and then let him/her figure out if any additional testing is needed.

As far as the radiation, well, hopefully you won't need it. Women who have undergone radiation are encouraged to either have sexual intercourse or use their vaginal dilators at least 3 times per week to make sure the scar tissue does not shrink the vagina. It's very important to keep that open for future PAP's to monitor for cancer-recurrence (as well as for more intimate uses ). Radiation will frequently/typically damage the ovaries so that they don't work anymore. Some women have had an ovary moved up higher into the pelvic cavity to protect it from the radiation so that they continue to have natural hormone. If your ovarian function is lost due to removal or radiation, then you may need HRT. Well-balanced hormones will help keep your libido working. These are all great topics to discuss with your doctor. Are you seeing a gynecologic oncologist?

Good luck, Kristine! Please let us know how you are getting along and what course of treatment you will be following.

Hi Kristine! I am glad you found this site pre-op! We will be here for you! I had my radical hysterectomy this last summer for stage 1b cervical cancer, my lymph nodes were clear and I did not require further treatment. I pray you will have good results, too! I get lower back ache when I feel alot of stress or worry, and I remember that I really did in the weeks before my surgery! Let us know how you are doing, and good luck with your surgery!!
Rhonda